Sociology 2

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1Objectives of Unit 2:Discuss findings/experience of Assignment 1: Doing NothingReflect on the concept of theory in SociologyIntroduce the classical(traditional) perspectives in SociologyIntroduce the newer perspectives in SociologyIntroduce a global perspective in Sociology (unit 3 & 9)Introduce briefly common methodological approaches (tools) in Sociology

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3Assignment 1: Doing Nothing34

A theory is. Hmmm !?

55What is a Theory?6Attempts to understand the (social) world and our place in it, has led to the development of theoriesTheories are abstract propositions about how things are as well as how they should be; an explanation of how we think things workWe refer to theories as approaches, schools of thought, paradigms or perspectives. This implies that they are different approaches!Social theories are guiding principles or abstract models that attempt to explain and predict the social worldA theory is comparable to a map. When you discover new places, you have to modify this map

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Is there something like down or above? down and above become relative10

Example of a theoretical model: the social change model1111Theories are dynamic, they change12Theories have to be tested: Thats what scientifically research is all about! We develop theories and test them, modify them to fit the reality better, why?Theories will change over time, because their area of study they seek to understand and explain: Society, itself changes over timeTheories seek to understand society in periods of both order and changeSocial change makes theoretical change a continual necessity

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13The object of study is on the move

Have you ever tried to photograph a moving object?14Different theoretical perspectives15In attempting to develop theories about humans and societies, sociologists face a wide range of choices:What issues should we study? How should we link facts together to form theories? What assumptions might underpin our theories? I.e. what theoretical maps guides the study of phenomena?=Theoretical PerspectiveThis is a basic image that guides thinking and researchThere exists an array of basic images that guide thinking and research!

The elephant metaphor:poem by John Godfrey Saxe (1816-18-87)

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Rope SnakeFanTreeSpearThe poem/parables moral:

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Classical, traditional perspectives in Sclg183 classical perspectives in Sclg:Macro-level perspectives:Structural FunctionalismConflict theory

Micro-level perspective:Symbolic interactionism

Macro level: focus on broad social structures that characterize society as a whole. Micro level: focus on social interaction in specific situations (focus on action, interaction and meaning to experience)1920

Structural FunctionalismKey tenets Structural Functionalism21Is a framework for building theory that envisages society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stabilityOur lives are guided by social structurei.e. relative stable patterns of social behaviourThis frameworks understands social structure in terms of its social functionsi.e. functions/consequences for the operation of societySociety is stable, an ordered system of interrelated parts of the social structures. Each structure has a function that contributes to the continued stability of society.

Founding Fathers of Structural Functionalism:

Auguste ComteHerbert SpencerEmile DurkheimI focus on social solidaritySociety is comparable to the human body To promote social integration during times of radical changeComte father of sociology. His context: examined social changes as French revolution and industrial revolution. Spencer was inspired by Darwinism, he studies the human body also, and used this as analogy for society. Just as the body is dived in parts with each a function, so is society. 22Key tenets Structural Functionalism The SF perspective organizes sociological observations by identifying various structures of society and studying the function of each one.E.g. of social structures (social institutions) are: the family, the educational system, politics, religion, mass media systems and the economy

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Other theorists that have contributed to SF perspective24

Talcott ParsonsRobert MertonSociety is a system, with parts that have basic tasks, all members should be socialized to maintain orderSocial functions can be expanded in manifest, latent and dysfunctionsParsons, a US Sociologist elaborated further on the different parts/functions of society and emphasized on the role of socialization in society. Merton expands the notion of social functions further and introduces to concepts of manifest, latent functions and social dysfunctions.24Social functions expanded (Merton)25The consequences of any social pattern are likely to differ for various members of societyE.g. traditional families provide crucial support for the development of children but also confer privileges on men while limiting the opportunities for women

We dont always perceive all functions of a particular social structure:Manifest functions: the recognized/intended consequences of any social patternLatent functions: consequences that are largely unrecognized and unintended

Not all the effects if any social structure turn out to be useful: Social Dysfunctionsi.e. any patterns undesirable consequences for the operation of society

(dys)functions of.?26What are the main functions (in terms of manifest and latent) and dysfunctions of the following social structures:The familyEducation ReligionMass mediaThe economyJailGaming

Critique on Structural Functionalism27How can we assume that society has a natural order when social patterns vary from place to place and change over time?By focusing on social integration and harmony SF tends to overlook/hide social inequalities based on social categories such as: ethnicity, gender, age and social class

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Conflict TheoryKey tenets Conflict Theory29Is a framework for building theory that envisages society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and changeIt highlights divisions in society based on inequalitiesInequalities based on social class, ethnicity (or race), sex and ageTheory focuses on dominance, competition and social changeConflict between categories of people (social groups): dominant vs. disadvantaged categories. E.g. Rich vs. poorAim is not only to understand how inequality is rooted in the way society is organized, but also to do reduce inequalities:By promoting and bring about Social Change

Conflict Theory has a materialistic view of society. It focuses on labor practices and economic realitytakes a critical stance towards existing social arrangements (labor market, democracy, inequality between social groups)doesnt believe that science can be objective: all theoretical approaches have political consequences . i.e. theories have hidden agendasBelieves that transformation of society is inevitable (social change)

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Karl MarxMy main task is not to just analyze how society reproduces inequality, but my task is to change this!Critique on Conflict Theory32CT highlights inequality and overlooks how shared values or interdependence generate unity among members of societyCT sometimes pursuits explicitly political goals (it wants to bring social change) and because of this it sometimes lacks scientific objectivity*

* The objectivity of science is a much disputable notion in science on itself Critique on how SF & CT approach Society33Both the SF and CT envisage society in very broad terms. Society becomes a thing on itself describing our lives as a composite of for example: family or social classwe have criticized this notion in unit 1!Both SF and CT are considered conservative theories (gone out of fashion!)34

Symbolic Interactionism3. Symbolic Interactionism*Is a theoretical framework that envisages society as the product of everyday interactions of people doing things togetherIs influenced by Webers social action perspective. i.e. a perspective that emphasizes the need to understand a setting from the point of view of people in it.Human meanings and action shape societyWe act toward things on the basis of their meaningsIndividual/social groups give meaning to the experience of lifeMeaning is process of constant negotiation:i.e. meanings can change or be modified through interaction and through time*SI is the most influential sociological perspective!

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I look at how we assemble our sense of self over time based on social experienceMeanings and action shape society. Modern society is the product of a new way of thinking, not just of new technology and capitalismMax WeberGeorge MeadMax weber was the founder of social action perspective and this perspective influenced symbolic interactionism36Key tenets of Symbolic Interactionism37Through the human process of finding meaning in our surroundings, we define our identities, bodies and feelings, and come to socially construct the world around us.Society as a mosaic of subjective meanings and variable responses:E.g. the meaning of the membership of a gang member:The one perceives being part of a gang as something to be proud of, you get symbolic status in an other part of society, you are appreciated by fellow gang members, they are your family. The other sees gangs as something to be feared, a menace for society, a collection of organized crime, peer pressure and stupidityChanging meanings of the concept of beauty for teenagers(1975 vs. 2010):

38Critique on Symbolic Interactions39By focusing on day-to-day experience/interactions we overlook the workings of larger social structuresConclusion so far40Not one single perspective can cover in its totality the dynamic character of society and social experience.A some what more better understanding of society comes from the combination of different perspectives:Sociology examines the social world by looking at functions and dysfunctions, conflicts and consensus, actions and meanings And still, as we will see, some other angles are lacking!Because all 3 traditional perspectives have weakness as well as strengths, they will probably never fully explain the totality of social phenomena, even when taken together

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Contemporary, emerging perspectives413 new perspectives in SociologyNew perspectives will, and indeed must, continue to rise. Changes in society, bring changes in our conceptual way of studying it:Each is linked to a major contemporary social transformation:Changing ideas about gender rolesChanging notions of sexual identityChanges associated with a post-industrial, technologically based society

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Feminist Theory43First female sociologist44

I can be considered the first female in sociology. My area of expertise is the study of urban life, I am one of the pioneers of the Chicago SchoolJane Addams

1. Feminist theory45Looks at gender inequalities in society and the way gender structures the social worldGender is a social construct

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E.g. A feminist analysis of female fairy tale characters 474748

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Queer Theory

2. Queer theory50Proposes that categories of sexual identity are social constructs and that no sexual category is fundamentally either deviant or normal

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Post-modernism51

2. Postmodern theory52Suggests that there is no universal, knowable truth: realities are fluid and diverseThe kaleidoscope metaphor

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53It has all been done. The extreme limit of possibilities have been reached. It has deconstructed its entire universe. So, all that are left are pieces. All that remains to be done is play around with the pieces: that is post-modernBaudrillard54PerspectiveFocus of AnalysisStructural- FunctionalismAssumes that society is a unifies whole that functions because of the contributions of its separate structuresConflict theorySees social conflict as the basis of society and social change emphasizes a materialist view of society, a critical view of the status quo and a dynamic model of historical changeSymbolic interactionismAsserts that interaction and meaning are central to society and assumes that meanings are not inherent but are created through interactionFeminist theoryLooks at gender inequalities in society and the way gender structures the social worldQueer theory Questions the basis of all social categories, including but not limited to those involving sexualityPostmodernist theorySuggests that social reality is diverse, pluralistic and constantly in flux5455

Global perspective in SociologyGlobal perspective56The study of the larger world and each societys place in itImportance of interrelations Importance of contextsWe will continue with this theme in unit 3 and unit 9

57Common methods in Sociology5758

There is no absolutely objective scientific analysis of culture.or social phenomena independent of special and one-sided viewpoints according to which they are selected, analyzed and organized (Weber, 1949: 72)Max Weber

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60Distinction between Quantative and Qualitative research methodsQuantative: uses data that can easily be converted into numbers, such as a survey or an experiment E.g. Censo 2010

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6162Qualitative: involves data that cannot easily be converted to numbers, such as observation or informal interviews.Most sociological research uses the scientific methodThis is the standard for acquiring and verifying empirical scientific knowledge:After conducting a literature review, a researcher forms a hypothesis stating a potential relationship between 2 or more variables:The number of friendships at the work & the level of job satisfactione.g. more friendships at the workplace increases job satisfactionVariables must be clearly defined so that they can be measuredFinally data is collected and the hypotheses tested (deductive)62Steps of the scientific MethodStarting from 1 to 7 = Deductive researchStarting from 5 (4) to 1 = Inductive research63631. Ethnographic methods64One way to collect data is through ethnography, a method based on studying people in their own environment in order to understand the meanings they attribute to their activitiesIt involves: Active participation in and observation of a naturally occurring setting and a written account (field notes) of what goes on there. In participant observation the research observes and becomes a member in the social setting Anthropology uses this method often64Ethnography: 65

Snow white joined the 7 dwarfs in their private homes, here she could observe their social practices652. Interviews66Involves direct, face-to-face contact with respondents. The researcher identifies the target population that she wishes to study and then selects a sample of people to be interviewed from that populationclose-ended questions: E.g. Are you for or against the legislation of abortus? (yes-no)open-ended question:What is your opinion about legalizing abortus? please elaborateWhat do you think of married couples cheating on each other?663. Surveys67Surveys are questionnaires that are administrated to a sample of respondents selected from a target group populationTend to look at Large-scale social patterns and employs statistics methods of analysishttp://www.censo2010.aw/67

68URL: www.censo2010.aw4. Experimental methods69Experiments are formal test of whether an independent variable causes the dependent variable that are performed in a controlled setting where all aspects of the situation can be controlled.Comparison between experimental group vs. control group (sample without intervention)Experiments in social science are very difficult to conduct because of ethical questions:Twins separated at birth, one grows-up in a nice family, one in a dysfunctional family?69Pill to make you dance at a party when you dont like dancing 70

Control: she takes a placebo pillExperiment: she takes the to be tested pill705. Emerging research tools:71Life stories (narratives)DiariesLogs and time-budgetsLettersVisual sociology: PhotographyVisual sociology: Film and video

Issues in Social science research72Social scientists/researches should be Value-free Code of ethics to avoid bias, protect respondents from harms, privacy issues and unethical behavior in the name of science etc.On the wikispace you can find examples of different code of ethics for social sciences

72E.g. Unethical research73

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/02/health/research/02infect.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaperArticle trackback:7374

Awakening the sociological imagination:

Studying = feeling like a space traveler, flying above earth, fascinated by its organizing ecology & exploring its encoded meaningsN.D.L.7475

Social Scientists75Assignment 2:76

Understanding the London Riots77See Assignment 2 on the wikispace: Free-styling sociological imagination: Understanding the London Riots. As sociologists-in-training we will attempt to understand the riots carefully. Follow the instructions for this assignment on the wikispace.